INTELLIGENCE officers who intercepted top-secret transmissions from the Indonesian military could be called to give evidence at the coronial inquest into the death of the Balibo five.NSW Coroner Dorelle Pinch said yesterday she would examine the role the Indonesian military played in the death of the five newsmen in East Timor in 1975, after it emerged that radio intercepts suggested the Australians had been executed by Indonesian forces.

Ms Pinch urged radio operators and others who worked at the Defence Signals Directorate at Shoal Bay receiving station in Darwin between October 14 and October 20, 1975, to come forward. She also wanted to speak to anyone who worked at the station on March 4, 1977, and provided a document to George Brownbill and Ian Cunliffe, then officers with the Hope Royal Commission into intelligence and security.

Mr Brownbill and Mr Cunliffe were reportedly shown an intercepted Indonesian signal that disclosed an order to execute the five men.

A Department of Defence spokesman said last night any defence personnel "would still be bound by official secrecy provisions" but this would not prevent them from appearing at the inquest.

Neil James, executive director of the Australia Defence Association, said the requirements of the court would win out over secrecy concerns.

He said the Attorney-General and the court would have to decide what evidence was relevant and how it would be given in court without disclosing national secrets.

The inquest is into the death of Nine Network cameraman Brian Peters, who was one of five journalists killed during an attack on the Timorese border town of Balibo in October 1975.

Official reports said Peters and the four others - Greg Shackleton, Gary Cunningham, Tony Stewart and Malcolm Rennie - died in crossfire.

But a 1999 statement given by Mr Brownbill reportedly contradicts that version of events.

Media reports last week said Mr Brownbill and Mr Cunliffe were shown an Indonesian military signal that said words to the effect of "according to instructions" the five had been located and executed.

Gough Whitlam may still testify, with Ms Pinch refusing to rule out calling on the former prime minister to give evidence on the "intentions of the Indonesian government". The inquest resumes next year.